Gas-engine.



T. P. BROOKE.

GAS ENGINE.

APPLICATION FIL'ED OCT. 28. 1909- 4 SflE ETS-SHEET I.

Patntd Nov. 2,

T. P. BROOKE.

' GAS ENGINE. Y APPLICATION FILED 0CT. 28| I909.

ratelitea-Nov. 2, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- -T. P. BROOKE.

GAS ENGiNE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-28. 1909.

1 mm T 2 w my Nm. MW n 4 .w a P v T. P. BROOKE. GAS ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 28. I909.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

4 $HEETSSHEET 4- 1 rarnrrmon.

'rHoMAs PRESTON BROOKE, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNoa, BY IMESNE AssIeN- MENTS TO FRANKLIN A. UMSTED, OF CHICAGO, ILLI'NOIS.

GAS-ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

' Application filed October 28,1909. Serial N0. 525,138.

To all whom it may concern .1

Be it known that I, THOMAS P; BROOKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gas engines and has for its main general object to provide an improved construction, combination and arrangement of parts in a gas engine.

The invention has for one of its objects to provide a gas engine or internal combus- "in construction. r

Another ob ect 1s to provldelmproved gas admission means for gas engines.

Another object is to' provide improved means for exhausting gas engines embodying rotating cylinders.

Another object is to provide improved means for connecting the engine shaft with the main power shaft.

Another object is to provide improved valve-operating means.

' Other and further objects will appear in the specification and be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended thereto.

In the drawings showing-one exemplification of the invention Figure 1 is a plan view of a motor embodying my improvements; Fig. 2 is a section on the line II.II, Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a section on the line III-J11, Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section on the line IVIV, Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a detail section on the line V-V, Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a detail section on the line VI-VI, Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a section on the line VIIVII, Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the piston valve; Fig. 9 is a detail view on the line IX-IX, Fig. 4; 10 is a plan view partly in section of the valveoper ating cam; Fig. 11 is a'detail perspective view of a portion of the cam.

In the present exemplification of the invention which is adapted more especially for use in connection with flying machines, a base member 1, which maybe any suitable rigid portion of a flying machine upon which it is desirable to'mount the motor, has rigidly mounted thereon the pedestals 2, 3,

in which is keyed, or otherwise rigidly se-- cured, a fixed shaft a forming the main engine shaft of the motor. Revolubly mounted upon said shaft 4c are a plurality of cylinders 5, said'cylinders being connected to gether with a gas-tight joint to form a gas or gas and air chamber common to all of said cylinders. The fixed shaft at is provided, throughout the greater portion of its length, with a channel adapting it to convey gas to and from said cylinders. In order to obviate undesirable gyroscopic ef fects which would be produced by a motor of this character embodying only one series of cylinders, said motor is made up of two series of cylinders rotating in opposite directions in such a manner as to counterbal;

ance the gyroscopic effects, thus providing a motor better adapted for use with a flying machine. In order to provide open communication between the hollow fixed shaft 4 and the gas chamber of each series of cylinders, said fixed shaft is provided with a discharge opening for each gas chamber, as shown in Fig. 5) In this figure a portion of one-half of the motor is shown, the other half being of exactly the same construction. By inspection of Fig. 5, it will be noted that on one end, the fixed shaft comprises a section 6 which is also hollowed interiorly for a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out.

The section 6 on either end is rigidly con-' nected with the central portion of the fixed. shaft 4: by means of a crank pin offset comprising stationary crank arms 7 and 8 rigidly connected by means of a crank pin 9. Rotatably mounted upon the crank pin 9 is a rod-end of peculiar construction forming an integral portion of a master connecting rod 10 which connects said crank'pin Referring more especially to Fig. 6, the

valve 17 is provided with a depending valve ferred to. Said rod-end is provided with a pair of integrally formed star plates 11, 12 which are suitably spaced to permit the introduction of a plurality of connecting rods 13 connecting the several "other pistons of the motor in operative relation to the crank pin 9. Said connecting rods are pivotally connected with said starplates at 14. Reciprocably mounted in the said cylinders 5' are the pistons 15, each of said pistons being interposed between the gas chamber and an outlet in the outer end of said cylinder.

Each piston 15 is made hollow in construction, as clearly'shown in Fig. 4, and is provided with a valve passage 16 and a valve 17 for controlling the passage of gas be tween the gas chamber and the explosion chamber formed between the outer end of the. cylinder and the piston. In orderto properly limit the movement of the valve 17, the fiat end of the piston adjacent to said valve is provided with a plurality of projecting lugs 18 which project over the valve 17 and limit the movement of the same.

stem 19, the lower end of which is slotted to receive the extremities of two levers 20 which are pivoted respectively at 21 to a depending portion of the piston 15. On the outer end of each of said levers 20 is a ball or weight 22 which, by reason of the relative arrangement of the several parts, is adapted to, resist the movement of the valve 17 under the action of its own weight. These balls or weights 22 are made of such size as to slightly overbalance the weight of the valve 17, but of suitable weight to permit the entrance of the gas into the explosion chamber during the latter portion of the inward radial-movement of the piston.

' Each of thevalves 17 is therefore actuated by centrifugal- 'force due to the revolving movement about the fixed shaft 4.

Referring-.moreespecially to Fig. 4, the outer end" of each cylinder 5 'is provided with a valve seat 23 having depending L- shapedlugs 24 limiting the movement of a valve 25 which controls the exhaust from the explosion or combustion chamber. This main exhaust valve 25 is provided with a' valve stem 26 by means of which movement is imparted to saidvalve by a lever arm 27 pivoted at 28, said lever 27 being provided with a counteracting weight 29 for resisting the centrifugal force exerted against the valve 25 and. the various parts of the valve operating mechanism presently to be described. If-desired, the valve stem 26 may be pivotally connected .to the lever 27'.

Referring now more especially to Figs. 1 and 2, the lever 27 is provided with a rigidly connected crank arm 30 pivotally connectedwith one end of a connection-rod 31.

The other end ofthe rod 31 is pivotally con nected at 32 with the outer swinging end of; a cam block 33 pivotally mounted at 34: upon v 4 a portion rigidly connected with the rotating cylinders. At suitable intervals of the Operation of the motor each of the cam blocks 33] is brought into engagement with cooperatgear 36, theopposed. bevel gears being there-' by caused to rotate in opposite directions about thefixed shaft 4. Intermeshingwith both the said bevel gears 36, is a power shaft gear 37 rigidly secured in any suitable man ner to a power shaft-38. The axis of said power shaft 38 intersects the axis of 1 the hollow fixed shaft 4 at rig-ht angles and in" 'order to provide suitable means for connecting these shafts without interrupting the flow of the gas through the hollow shaft 4, said fixed shaft l is provided with a 180 bend, as shown at 39 in Fig. 5. Connected with this bend 39 is'a gas suppl-y pipe 40, by means of which gas is introduced in-the gas chambers -hereinbefore referred to. By

' an inspection of Fig. 1 it will be seen that the power shaft 38 extends under the fixed shaft 4 andhas rigidly secured to its extremity the cam 35 hereinbefore referred to. By'referenc'e to Figs. 10 and 11 said cam will be seen; to be provided with three cam 'lugs &1, said lugs'being spaced at equal in-.

tervals around the periphery of said cam with spaces interposed therebetween. By reason of its position on ;the extremity of the power shaft 38, the cam 35 is'adapted to be brought into operativeengagement with the cam blocks 33 on either side of the power shaft 38. According to the present embodiment exemplifying the invention a suitable construction and arrangement of parts has been shown on the drawings for operating the engine as a -cycle engine. In order,

therefore, to'have the main exhaust valve 23 open at every secondrevolution, the bevel gears 36 and 37. have beenso proportioned in size and number of teeth as to provide for six revolutions of the cylinders 5 to five revolutions of the power shaft 38. In this manner each of the cam blocks 33 will 'be brought into engagement with 'one of the cam lugs a1 on cam 35 on every other revolution, being caused to pass through the space between adjacent lugs 41 during each alternate revolution.

As best shown in Fig.3, each of the -cylinders 5 is provided with an exhaust outlet {12, said outlets connecting with a cylindrical exhaust chamber-43 common to all the cylindersof each motor unit, said outlets being arranged to discharge in a direction contrary to the direction 'of revolution to faplurality of ports 45 communicating with the interior of the cylindrical chamber 43, permitting the exhaust gases to discharge from the open end of the section 6 of the fixed shaft. In order to provide means for cooling the interior of the hollow section 6 contiguous to thebearing of each motor unit, said section is provided with a plurality 'of air passages 46 which permit theegress and ingress of air to cool the interior of the bearing port-ion.

As constructional details in the motor shown and described as embodying this invention, a sparking plug has been represent-.

ed at 47, while at 48 is shown an auxiliary port which permits a preliminary discharge ofthe products of combustion previous to the opening of the gas and air inlet valve 17. A detail section of this device. is shown in Fig. 9.

VVhatI claim is- 1. In a valve mechanism for a motor embodying a plurality of cylinders revoluble about a fixed shaft, the combination with valves ofmovable cam blocks revolving with said cylinders, means connecting the valves with said cam blocks, a power' shaft geared to said revolving cylinders, a cam mounted on said power shaft,.sa-id cam being provided with a plurality of projecting cam lugs adapted to be rotated into and out of operative engagement with said cam blocks on the cylinders, the geared connections between the power shaft and the revolving cylinders being such as to cause a differential rotation between the power shaft and the cylinders.

2. In a gas engine, a fixed shaft, a pair of motor units rotating about said shaft, each of said units comprising a plurality of cylinders rigidly connected, a power shaft driven by said units, a cam on said power shaft, a plurality of cam blocks carried by each motor unit, all of said cam blocks being cylinders rigidly connected, a driving gear mounted on each unit, a power shaft, agear on said power shaft in driven engagement with said gear on the motor units, cam on said power shaft, a plurality of cam blocks portion of the carried by each motor unit, all of said cam blocks being moved into and out of engagement. with the cam during the rotation of said units, and a valve operatively connected to each of-said cam blocks.

4. In a gas engine, a fixed shaft, a pair of motor units rotating about said shaft, each of'said units comprising a plurality of cylinders rigidly connected, a power shaft geared to both of said units to-rotate at different speed than said units, a plurality of cam blocks carried by each motor unit, a cam mounted on said power shaft and provided with a plurality of spacedcam lugs, said cam lugs being alternately thrown into and out of operative engagement with each of the cam blocks on said units by reason of the differential movement between the power shaft and said units, and a valve operatively connected to each'cam block.

5. In a gas 'engine a fixed shaft, a plural ity of cylinders mounted to rotate about said shaft, said cylinders being rigidly connected, a valve mechanism for each cylinder comprising a valve arranged to be normally held in closed position by centrifugal force, a

counter-weighted lever tending during the revolution of said. cylinders to force said valve into open position, said means being of insufficient power toforce said valve into -open position, and means connected to the tively engaging said aim and tending to.

force said yalve into open position, said weight being lIlSlllIlCleIlt to force said valve into open position, and means positively connected to the lever for opeiiing'said valve.

7. In a gas engine, a fixed shaft, a plurality of cylinders mounted. to rotate about said shaft, said cylinders being rigidly con- .nected, a valve mechanism for each cylinder comprising a valve arranged to be normally held in closed position by the pressure of the gases in the cylinder, and a weight. subjected to centrifugal force and operatively engaging said valve and tending to force said valve into open position, a power shaft driven by said revolving.cylinders, and a cam carried. by said power shaft for operating said valve mechanism.

8. In a gas engine, a fixed hollow shaft adapted to and air to said engine, said'shaft embodying a curved portion, a motor unit rotatably mounted on said shaft on each side of said curved portion, each motor unit comprising convey gas or a mixture of gas' a plurality of cylinders rigidly joined together to form an air-tight chamber, a power shaft extending under the curved portion of the hollow shaft and arranged with its axis intersecting the axis of said fixed shaft, and means interengaging between the ,power shaft and vthe motor units for transmitting the rotary movement of said units to the power shaft.

9. In a gas engine, .a fixed shaft, a pair of motor. units rotating in opposite directions on said shaft, each of said units comprising a plurality of rigidly connected cylinders, a valve in each cylinder, a cam block on each cylinder operatively connected to said valve, a power shaft driven by said units at a different rate of speed than that of the units, and a cam on said power shaft provided with spaced cam lugs, each ofsaid lugs being moved successively into-and out of en gagement with each cam block on each motor unit by the differential speed existing be tween said power shaft and motor units.

I 10. In a rotary rectilinear motor, the combination with two series of rotating cylinders, revolving about a common axis; valves and valve gears for said cylinders, embodying a valve operating element for each cylinder revolving therewith, and a cam rotatable on an axis at an angle to said first axis and having active portions arranged to engage with the said valve operating elements of both series of cylinders.

11. Ina rotary rectilinear motor, the combination with two series of rotating cylinders, revolving about acommon axis; valves and valve gearsfor said cylinders, embodying a valve operating element for each cylinder revolving therewith, a cam rotatable on an axis at an angle to said first axis and having active portions arranged to engage with the said valve operating elements of both series of cylinders, and means connectthe said valve operating elements of both series of cylinders, means connectingone series of cylinders with the other, to cause them to revolve in opposite directions, and means for rotating said cam by the movement of said cylinders.

13. In a gas engine, a fixed shaft, a pair of motor units rota-ting about said shaft, each of said units comprising a plurality of cylinders rigidly connected, a power shaft driven by said units,-a cam on said power shaft, a plurality of cam blocks carried byeach motor unit, all of said cam blocks being moved into and out of engagement with the 'cam during the rotation of said units, a

valve operatively connected to each cam block, a. shaft to be driven, secured to said cam and geared to said revolving series of cylinders in a differential ratio, said series of cylinders revolving in opposite directions, and the said valve operating elements for both series of said cylinders being arranged to revolve inv arcs tangent to the plane of rotation of said cam.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, on this 26th day of October, A. D. 1909.

THOMAS PRESTON BROOKE.

, Witnesses:

:CHARLEs H. SEEM,

A. O. KNIGHT. 

